The 'west' perceptions of Namık Kemal and Mehmed Aki̇f

This study examines the 'West' perceptions of Namık Kemal and Mehmed Akif who had key positions for Ottoman/Turkish/Islamic modernization. The West and Western civilization which are defined by common history have been in a struggle for domination over the rest of the world during modernity process. In accordance with this struggle it has occurred some quests in order to get rid of this struggle in some non-Western societies. The Ottoman State is one of the societies which were affected by this domination struggle. As a result of this modernization quests have started in the Ottoman State. In line with modernization movements perceptions about the West started to change. Namık Kemal and Mehmed Akif as intellectuals who lived during modernization process created perceptions about the West within these quests. Their perceptions of the West are under the sociological and psychological influence of this process. Their perceptions of the West include two-sided perceptions of the West which are positive and negative. Primarily, it appears a West which is progressive and civilized; in addition, an example in order draw a lesson from it. Otherwise, there is a West which is imperialist threatens the Ottoman lands. Studying similar West perceptions of Namık Kemal and Mehmed Akif will present how Ottoman/Turkish/Islamic intellectual history perceives the West through Namık Kemal and Mehmed Akif's thoughts.